WILTON MANORS – For a city with a population of less than 12,000 (Source: 2010 U.S. Census data), Wilton Manors has big city parking woes. “Believe it or not,” offers Heidi Shafran, the city’s Director of Community Development, “this isn’t actually a bad thing”—what some might refer to as a “high-class problem.” She is referring to the growth of the Island City’s business in the past nine months, which (as any traffic engineer will attest) brings with it an increase in the vehicular population, along with the need for more parking.

To meet this need—demand, really—about three months ago the city commission approved a $1.1 million bank loan to address “parking solutions.” These include, says Shafran, “a long-term lease with Kids in Distress for three lots located on NE 8 Terr.” These lots, which are within walking distance of Five Points as well as shopping and dining on Wilton Drive, should accommodate approximately 40 parking spaces—much needed as more businesses open along the Island City’s main thoroughfare.

Shafran acknowledges that there are concerns about the growth of business on the Drive, but offers that solutions are part of the “ongoing process and action plan” that she and other officials—elected and hired— are employing to assure that growth is managed.

Says Shafran: “We are also taking a look at parking on the other side of the Drive,” near Rosie’s, Matty’s, New Moon, and Bona Italian Café, as well as for “a better parking solution near Hagen Park” across from Tropics and Gelato Station. “By season,” she adds, “we should have more than three dozen new [parking] spaces on the north end of the Drive.”